Under counter lighting

[Patters1978]

Hi everyone

Just fitted out the utility and while the walls still need painting thought I'd try and wire in under counter lights.

But sadly the wiring has confused me

(Yes I should get a electrician in but I have wired in lights sockets before just never done something like this, I think I know the answer but just want someone to confirm details)

So currently my light switch controls the lights in the utility ceiling light and feeds power out to the conservatory and a outside light, the switch has 2 toggles on it.

I have attached a picture

I want that switch to have 3 toggles that control 3 separate light just unsure what to buy or how to wire it?

Any help

 

[Doggit]

It'll partially depend on what type of under counter lights you're going to use, and how they'll be wired in. But it'll also depend on how you you're getting the wires from the switch, over the the units.

 

[seasickstevie]

'Under counter' lights ?
Where are your lights going to be as a matter of interest ... in the cupboards?

Or do you mean 'counter top' lights?


Apologies if I'm being a bit pedantic.

 

[Patters1978]

'Under counter' lights ?
Where are your lights going to be as a matter of interest ... in the cupboards?

Or do you mean 'counter top' lights?


Apologies if I'm being a bit pedantic.

Oh lol it's late obviously

 

[Doggit]

Nothing like that, just the sense of humour of some posters, that's all. You'll get used to them - hopefully.

 

[Patters1978]

It'll partially depend on what type of under counter lights you're going to use, and how they'll be wired in. But it'll also depend on how you you're getting the wires from the switch, over the the units.

I haven't even looked at light yet can anyone recommend a light?

Above the utility is a loft area feeding wires down the walls isn't too hard so i can get wires anywhere I want really

Cheers

 

[Doggit]

Okay, so if you can get another wire down to the switch, then you would loop a live feed across to the com on the third switch, and fit the lswitched live to L1 on the switch, add the neutral to the connector block, and the CPC it the earth lug. You'd feed the cable donw behind the units, and then connect it to whatever lights you use under the units. You can go fos small linked flourecents, or LED using a driver, or even led strip lights that use a driver. You'll link the driver into the feed wire using a choc box.

 

[securespark]

In the switch box you will find feeds connected to the Common terminal and neutrals in a connector block.

You need to replace the switch keeping all the existing connections to two of the switches and then for the third:

Loop a feed across to the new switch common and wire the red/ brown of your new cable feeding the under-cupboard lights into L1 of the corresponding switch. The cpc (earth) goes to the earth terminal and the neutral to the neutral connector block.

Feed this cable down the existing capping where the other cables are (if possible). If not, you'll have to cut a chase (avoiding the others), making sure it is not outside the box width (ie in safe zones).

The other end goes into the loft space and down again to the lights. But making this cable in a safe zone may be problematic.

To understand safe zones, look them up here in the Wiki.

 

[securespark]

Snap!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Nothing like that, just the sense of humour of some posters, that's all. You'll get used to them - hopefully.

I was just thinking how much the presence/absence of the definite article makes to the meaning of the topic title.

"Under the counter lighting" would conjure up an entirely different image...

 

[ban-all-sheds]

'Under counter' lights ?
Where are your lights going to be as a matter of interest ... in the cupboards?

Or do you mean 'counter top' lights?


Apologies if I'm being a bit pedantic.

Not sure that it's pedantry. Might be you misunderstanding. AIUI, "counter top lights" means the stuff under cabinets which shine down and light up worktops.

When the OP said "under counter lights" I didn't think he meant lights inside cupboards, I thought he meant lights recessed into the overhang at the front of the worktops.
This sort of thing:

 

[ianniann]

Under-cabinet lighting. The exact type of lighting doesn't really affect the switch and wiring from it. The same switch can turn on and off fluorescent lights, LED pucks, LED strips, whatever you want. The only exceptions might be if you want something like remote control dimming and switching where you might bypass the wall switch completely, but you did say you wanted to control the lights from a three-gang wall switch. Still best to decide on the lights first since you might want to tuck LED drivers away somewhere other than right under your cabinets, and then you'd need to run the mains wiring to there.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

The exact type of lighting doesn't really affect the switch and wiring from it. The same switch can turn on and off fluorescent lights, LED pucks, LED strips, whatever you want.

It's less straightforward if the lights are powered by a wall-wart.

 

[securespark]

Are you going all winston on me?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

No